Wash Post Metro

Md. Starts Fiscal Year $700 Million in Red

John Wagner — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Less than two weeks into its new fiscal year, Maryland is facing the prospect of a $700 million budget shortfall and the need for additional spending cuts, according to the legislature's chief financial analyst.

Ex-Clinton Attorney To Lead Investigation In Barry Ethics Case

Tim Craig and Nikita Stewart — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

D.C. Council members announced yesterday that Robert S. Bennett, a Washington lawyer best known for defending former President Bill Clinton against sexual harassment charges, will oversee an investigation into whether member Marion Barry violated any laws or ethics policies by giving a city contract...

Rosetta Stone Suing Google Over Advertisers' Trademark Use

Cecilia Kang — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Rosetta Stone, the Arlington language-learning software firm, said yesterday it has filed a lawsuit against Google for trademark infringement, alleging the Internet search giant allowed other companies to use Rosetta Stone's trademark brand for online advertisements without permission.

Federal Complaint Targets Moving Firm Led by Former Md. GOP Chairman

John Wagner — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A major moving company led by former Maryland Republican Party chairman John Kane for years paid its workers less than required by federal contracts while submitting "false and fraudulent documents" indicating the company was in compliance, federal prosecutors have alleged.

Suspect Arrested in Killing Near Nats Park

Dagny Salas and Martin Weil — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting Thursday of a teenager near the Nationals Park, D.C. police said last night.

Concerned With Delays, Crowding and Safety, Red Line Riders Turn to Bus

James Hohmann — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Congestion, delays and concerns about train safety after last month's crash on the Red Line drove many rail riders to board buses for their daily travel, which might have a lasting impact on commuting habits.

Suspect in Boy's Slaying Was a Lookout, Officials Say

Ruben Castaneda — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The District man charged this week in the killing of an 8-month-old boy as he sat in his car seat is believed to have been the lookout in the crime, and Prince George's County police are still seeking the suspected gunman, authorities said yesterday.

Federal Courts Says D.C. Police Checkpoints Were Unconstitutional

Maria Glod — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A federal appeals court ruled yesterday that checkpoints set up by District police in neighborhoods beset by violence are unconstitutional, effectively ending a crime-fighting tactic that officials say was used in only the most dire circumstances to protect residents.

Marriott to Maintain Benefits for Full-Timers

V. Dion Haynes — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Marriott International yesterday said it will allow full-time workers relegated to part-time status to keep their health benefits, a move aimed at easing the pain for employees affected by the recession.

Group Petitions for Investigation of Trinidad Shooting

Theola Labbé-DeBose — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:57:00 EDT

A national advocacy group has collected more than 500 signatures from District residents on a petition demanding a full accounting from authorities of the shooting death last month of Trey Joyner by U.S. Park Police.

Md. Man Gets 10-Year Term, $13 Million Fine in Mortgage Fraud

The Associated Press — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:43:00 EDT

A Fort Washington man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for his involvement in a $35 million scheme to cheat homeowners facing foreclosure.

District to Get $7.4 Million in Federal Funding to Aid the Homeless

Darryl Fears — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The District is receiving $7.4 million in federal stimulus money to help homeless families and families in danger of becoming homeless, and several area suburbs are also getting grants.

Leesburg Hostage Situation Ends With No Serious Injuries, Police Say

Derek Kravitz and Paul Duggan — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A couple in their 80s who were held hostage for hours in their Leesburg home were freed last night, and the gunman who had held them gave himself up, authorities said.

Candidate's 'Holocaust Revisionist' Views Spark Reston Write-In Campaign

Fredrick Kunkle — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Ken Meyercord has an Ivy League education, a high-tech job at Freddie Mac, a local public-access cable television show on international affairs and a long history of writing about what he says are "myths" of the Holocaust, including a piece called "(Holo-) History is Bunk."

House Seeks More Funding for Food Standards Probe

Kimberly Kindy — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:59:57 EDT

A House agriculture appropriations bill has approved $500,000 for the USDA's inspector general to investigate the department's National Organic Program, to determine whether federal standards are being properly observed before farmers and food producers are allowed to use the certified organic label...

Von Brunn Still Bedridden, Attorney Says

Keith L. Alexander — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:45:52 EDT

James W. von Brunn, the suspect in last month's deadly shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, is still bedridden and unable to appear in court, his attorney told a federal judge today.

Analyst Warns Md.'s Shortfall Could Reach $700 Million

The Associated Press — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:22:55 EDT

The chief budget analyst for Maryland's legislature is warning that the state's shortfall could be about twice the amount previously estimated.